WR Interview
seminar experience impacted me for the rest of my life.”
During her years in leadership positions, Diana has had
time to reflect on both the meaning and potential of WIZO
for advancing women. “I am very much impressed by the
female power of WIZO – not only in Germany but all over
the world. WIZO is a very good example of women being
able to work together as a team.”
“[In Germany] we don’t feel the competition about positions
and influence – here it’s working together for a common
cause. It’s the experience of togetherness as a group of
women who like each other – a sisterhood.”
Challenges for WIZO Germany today
And yet, as is the case in much of the world, in Germany,
“involving the younger ones” in the sisterhood is a lingering
and complicated challenge. “There’s nothing worse than
building something so wonderful and not finding younger
women to follow up and take up the helm,” says Diana.
Part of the difficulty in recruiting new members is a
reluctance to be registered members. “They’ll give the
money [that membership would cost], but they don’t want
to be registered. They are afraid of the obligations, they
want their boundaries respected.”
Part of Diana’s strategy to counter this, is to take the pressure
off new recruits and give them a lot of freedom “to do things
the way they think things should be done,” and the strategy
seems to be working. “Typically, their initial involvement is
the appeal of joining a social peer group. We must start with
the social aspects of joining. It becomes successful once it
turns into a giving group – a group that has purpose and
meaning.”
Beit Heuss, a centre for support workshops for all
elements of Israeli society, WIZO Germany’s flagship
project in Herzlia Pituach
WIZO and Youth
After they’re hooked, Diana makes every effort to give them
opportunities to experience WIZO. “Whenever they come
to Israel for a vacation, we try to arrange a visiting day for
them. One Aviv member visited projects on her three most
recent visits to Israel; she doesn’t need any more motivation
because she’s seen what WIZO is.
“The Aviv seminars are also crucial –we approach our young
women individually and tell them it’s an honour – a special
opportunity for leadership training and experiencing WIZO.
We see tangible results after they return.”
Another thing Diana emphasizes to potential new members
is that WIZO means opportunity – and that opportunity
exists beyond supporting social welfare projects in Israel.
“Germany is a member of the European Council of WIZO
Federations [ECWF] – the German delegate is a delegate
to the European Women’s Lobby for all of Europe. Being
involved in lobby work is a good way to involve the younger
ones – appealing to their political sides. We send members
to meetings at local, national and international women’s
organisations – Jewish and non-Jewish.”
Looking forward
Within the emerging and fast growing community of Jews
in Germany, Diana along with all WIZO Germany chaverot
have big dreams about what future role WIZO will play in
Germany.
“For me,” says Diana, “the sky is the limit. I’d like to see every
Jewish woman in Germany a passionate WIZO supporter,
proud to be part of this extraordinary international
organization, committed and to show her solidarity with
Israeli society.”
Common Stories:
A Voice for Jerusalem’s Youth
WIZO’s Kagan Youth Centre is a non-stop hive of activity, a place where
every child has the chance to tell their story
It’s a Wednesday in May, and
the WIZO Kagan Centre for
Youth and Communications
(sponsored by WIZOuk) is
buzzing with commotion
and activity. Downstairs,
a group of high school
students are broadcasting
a radio show to all of Israel,
and although the show may
have a modest following,
Yochai Rotenberg, the
centre director, shushes
a few girls playing loudly
in the hallway out of
fear that they’ll ruin the
transmission. The girls are
well below the ages that the
centre officially serves, but
in the socioeconomical